Shoe-tongue retainer.



H. M. THAYER. SHOE YOflGUE REM-U423. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 3'0. 1914.

1,163,573. mm 1m. '7, 1915.

anoawliom HARRY ML THAYER, or woman; rLLmoIs.

SHOE-TONGUE RETAINER. i

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. '7, 1915.

Application filed November 30, 1914..- Serial No. 874,850.

Toall whom it may concern: I

Be it known that I, HARRY M. THAYER,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Voodhull, in the county of Henry and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements 1n"-Shoe T ongue Retainers, of which the following is a specification. I

The present invention relates to an im proved attachment for footwear and has particular reference to a novel shoe-tongue retaining and supporting device.

In all shoes fastened together by means of a lace string it is customaryio provide a tongue or stripof leather attached to the vamp of the shoe which extends upwardly behind the lace to provide a protector or shield for the instep and which at the same time increases the neatness of the shoe. However, this shield or tongue usually becomes creased or rumpled, and because of a lack of support does not stay in its proper place thereby presenting an untidy appearance. That is to say, after a short time, the tongue of the shoe works down from its normal position and wrinkles through the crossed portions of the'lace thus shortening up andexposing the instep of the wearer. Accordingly, the present invention contemplatesasits primary object the provision of novel and simple means for holding the shoe-tongue in its proper position under all conditions of .use, thereby enhancing the v neat appearance oft-he front of the shoe and requiring the tongue to perform its proper functions.

,A further object of the invention is to provide a durable and practical device that may be readily and quickly attached to a shoe-tongue without incurring any appreciable expense, and which will be practically inconspicuous on the shoe.

With' the above and otherobjects in view which will more. readily appear asthenature of the'invention is better understood, the same consists inthe novel construction, combinationand arrangement'of parts hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

Though the idea set forth in the present.

in'ven-tionis capable of embodiment-in varis ous styles and designs, a preferred and prac-. v p in the accom panying drawings in which- Figure 1 is: a. perspective View showing a shoe unlaced to expose the tongue and show-- ing myimproved tongue retainen Fig. '2

is aview similar toFig. 1 showing the shoe laced up'and my improveddeviceengaging Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical with the lace. sectional view of a portion of a shoe tongue with'the retainer applied. Fig.4 is a detail enlarged perspective view of my invention;

Similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawings.

In carrying the present invention into effect, it is proposed tomake the same applicable to shoe-tongues at the time the same are placed in the shoe or afterward, and also in this connection, it will be obvious that the same may be applied with equal facility to shoes in use without any alterations or defacing of the shoe-tongue.

Though quite susceptible of structural variations and changes in design, the improved retaining and supporting device A in all cases assumes the form of an attachment capable of being secured to the tongue 1 of a shoe 2 having the usual lacing eyelets and studs 3 and a conventional shoe-laced, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing.

lVith special reference to the structural features of the tongue retainer A it will be observed, particularly by reference to Fig. 4, that the same is preferably made from a strip of spring metal of relatively thin cross-section the upper end of the flat body portion-5 of which may be readily bent into the form of a holding or retaining hook 6 having an outwardly flared edge portion or lip 7 ,The other end of the body 5 is preferablyfolded upon itself to provide a holding flange 8 after the said body has been placed in theshoe tongue. That is to say',

.the hook portion 6 is first formed from the.

bodv 5 and then 'thes'hoe tongue l is slit at suitable intervals in the center near the top so as to prcride separate holding webs or straps 9 and 10. retaineris then fitted to the tongife by being inserted or threaded through the slits between the straps 9 and 10. After the re tainer A is thus in place it maybe then permanently secured in position by the lower end thereof being folded' over to form the holding flange 8 which 1 embraces-the strap 10. It,i"therefore, appears that any supporting stress exerted within the. hook '6' 6f".

fectively pulls upwardly upon the tongue andihold's ittaut.

In locating. the retainingbook A on the shoe tengflefitis" preferable to arzangejthe The saidbody 5 of the same the last crossing point of the lace 'beforethe tie comes within the book 6,

dering the usual lacing up of the shoe.

'n-Fromthe foregoing it will be apparent thatthis invention provides a retaining derice for shoe tongues which will. positively hold the same in their proper position in relationtothe parts of the shoe so that it is impossible for the tongue to wrinkle and shorten up to expose the instep or'a'nkle of the-wearer asis now the case,

the tongue from being a source of discomfort as heretofore.

hook, other end of said body and which will not only 'preserve the neat appearance 4 of the shoe but at-thev same time prevent I claim a I A shoe-lace engaging device adapted to be applied'to a shoe tongue comprising a flat body portion, receiving .hook formed at-the upper end of said body portion and co-extensive therewith, an outwardly flared guide lip on said and a'folded flange formed at the and adapted to clampingly engage a portion of said shoe tongue to hold the entire device thereto.

In testimony whereof I hereuntoaflix my signature inthepresence of two witnesses. v H HARRY M. THAYER. Witnesses: I

E. A. HANLOK, M. Lf'TI-IAYER.

a permanent arched shoe lace 

